CIMBA MBA 2020 Grads, Congrats!
Congratulations! We cannot recall being prouder of any class before yours. Without question, you have gone through the most unique year in CIMBA’s 30 year history. It has provided you with an unprecedented opportunity to learn about yourself and left you with a set of unique skills that have formed you personally and that will stay with you for a lifetime. It has taught you the importance of being adaptable and flexible in the face of unforeseen and unexpected challenges. It showed you that life often obligates you to put the needs of others in front of yours, and that truly only good things can come from such an unselfish sacrifice. It showed you how to bring the brightest lights of your personality to the darkest moments in others’ lives and lifted their spirits in a time of great need. And you were there for each other in the most defining moments, making a meaningful difference in the face of adversity. All of these skills served you then and certainly will serve you in the future.
Your ability to adapt to what was clearly a challenge for which we could not have prepared in advance, was a marvel to experience. You showed your true CIMBA spirit and became exceptional members of the CIMBA family by rising to the challenge. You exceeded the expectations not only of your CIMBA professors but also everyone else, the companies you work for, the companies that would like to hire you, but most importantly your family and friends.
You certainly left an impression on us, and you will undoubtedly leave an impression on all the CIMBA classes that are going to follow you. Hold your heads high because you were clearly unique, and we expect great things from you as a consequence. Be your best!
A big virtual CIMBA hug,
Al and Cristina
And these are the words of our students …
I accomplished a HUGE goal of mine – I graduated with my MBA through the University of Iowa‘s Tippie College of Business CIMBA program.
I wanted my masters since I was a little girl and watched my mom earn her masters. As time went on life got busy with marriage, kids, volunteering and work but I never lost sight of my goal. When my husband and I discussed how to make it a reality I did a lot of research to evaluate options. We decided to go abroad to Italy for this MBA program because it:
– Pushed me out of my comfort zone in a foreign country
– Exposed me to international businesses, professionals and professors
– Finished in 11 months
– Helped me to grow in human skills of empathy, social interactions, and building relationships. Skills that are increasingly becoming more valuable in the workplace.
When setting a goal sometimes you have to make sacrifices to achieve your goal. We did! My husband and I quit our jobs, pulled kids from school, packed and rented our home and said goodbye to friends and family. It was all 1000% worth it.
I celebrated this past weekend without a cap and gown ceremony the best way possible – with my family. Now I am ready to take on the world in my next marketing role!
Tanya Botten
2020 is special for all of us, but it has more special meaning for me who is still in a foreign country. I completed the last project of the last course for my CIMBA program today. I am very proud to say: “I graduate from The University of Iowa Tippie College of Business!” It has been a dream to complete an MBA, but it comes true today with my efforts. I finished it in a second language. It was an accomplishment, and challenge as well. Great thanks to the professors, my personal coaches, team coaches, staff, and classmates who walked through this journey together with me. Thanks to my family and friends. Thanks to everyone who supported me along the venture. I am ready for the next journey. I will always be my best in the future!
Zhifeng Dang
It’s been 11 months since I challenged myself stepping out of my comfort zone, diving deep into classes I never took before and in a language that is not my native tongue. I have to admit, there have been ups and downs, and that working on a consulting project in the middle of a pandemic has been more challenging and that I missed having social interactions with my fellow classmates. Nevertheless, applying for this program has been one of the best decisions I made in my life and it has been a unique experience. I’m proud of myself, and I truly thank all the people that accompanied me along the way. Thanks to CIMBA for the enriching opportunity and cross-cultural experience, to my classmates and my consulting team for the support and for coming into my life, to my coach Katiuscia Baggio for guiding my personal development journey with kindness and professionalism, to the Professors for their time and commitment to teaching.
I’m now ready for the next adventure and I look forward to meeting the CIMBA family at the graduation in Iowa!
Alessandra Rostirolla